Walcot ABC are celebrating once again after one of their young boxers became a national champion.
The central Swindon club has been under a cloud for the past six months following the death of their legendary coach Harry Scott after a brave and prolonged fight with cancer.
Scott coached ten Walcot national champions during a 40-year career, and his son Harold, who now runs the gym alongside fellow coach Mike Liston, has now produced another.
16-year-old Oisin Laughlin won contests on consecutive days to become the National Junior Development Champion at Under 80kgs in Kettering last week.
In the final, the Dorcan schoolboy encountered Kingsley Harrop from the Sheffield Boxing Centre.
From the outset, Laughlin took the centre of the ring and landed with fast southpaw right jabs and straight lefts.
He completely dominated the opening two minutes with Harrop offering very little in return.
During the middle session, the Swindonian continued his good work, using his long levers to keep the pressure on the Sheffield boxer and score repeatedly with two-fisted combinations.
The onslaught continued during the final round with Harrop covering up on the ropes under a barrage of fast punches from Laughlin.
Many ringside observers felt the referee could have stopped the contest before the end, but Harrop bravely clung on to hear the final bell.
After a one-sided final, Laughlin was deservedly awarded a unanimous points victory.
The previous day, the Walcot boxer had defeated the highly touted Hamza Iqbal from the Cobra Boxing Academy, also by a unanimous points verdict.
Walcot Head Coach Harold Scott was delighted afterwards, saying, “I’m sure my father Harry was looking down and smiling on us today.
"The last six months have been tough on all of us, but performances like Oisin’s today make all the work in the gym worthwhile.
"Oisin boxed brilliantly and thoroughly deserved his success.”
Walcot coach Mike Liston is also Laughlin’s stepdad, and he commented, “I am super proud of Oisin - to box so well over two consecutive days and completely dominate two top opponents was out of this world.”
Laughlin is a big fan of the former undefeated super middle world champion Joe Calzaghe, who was also an aggressive southpaw.
He added, “I hope to emulate my hero Joe Calzaghe one day and become a professional boxer, and who knows, maybe a champion.
"This title is my first step along that journey.”
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